WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday announced new steps in the Trump administration’s initiative to root out fraud in federal health programs, including a $1.3 billion deferral in Medicaid reimbursements to California.

“How long are people going to pay into programs if they know that that money doesn’t go to a low-income kid who needs health care, but that money goes into a fraudster getting rich?” Vance said during an event at the White House, adding that taxpayers and program beneficiaries are victimized by such fraud.

The Republican administration also is imposing a six-month freeze on some new Medicare enrollments and warning states to investigate Medicaid fraud or risk losing funding, officials said.

The moves are part of Vance’s anti-fraud task force, which has been taking more aggressive steps to investigate states before the November elections. The panel set up by President Donald Trump seeks to crack down on potential misuse of public money.

Vance, a potential 2028 White House hopeful, has used the high-profile assignment from Trump to remind Americans struggling with high costs that he is trying to claw back taxpayer dollars. Vance has promoted the task force’s work during campaign stops for Republican candidates and is expected to focus on the effort Thursday in Maine, which has closely watched primary races scheduled for June 9.

The steps come as people across the United States have raised concerns about rising health costs and barriers to access, sometimes from the federal government’s own actions. New work requirements in Medicaid, for example, are expected to strain hospitals around the country and result in millions of enrollees losing their health coverage.

The administration contends its vigorous fraud-busting efforts will help prevent wrongdoing in Medicaid and Medicare while preserving funding and resources for those most in need.

Deferring $1.3 billion in California payments

Dr. Mehmet Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the administration was making the “largest deferral we’ve ever made” in Medicaid funds and that it was justified.

He claimed the administration had identified questionable expenditures and anomalies, such as a higher rate of growth in California’s home care program compared with other states. He did not provide concrete examples of documented fraud.

“We’d like the state to at least come to the table and explain to us how these outlier payments have been generated,” he said.

The press office of Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., disputed Oz’s claims and said the state’s home care program grew because the state is “keeping more people OUT of far more expensive nursing homes.”

“We hate fraud,” the office wrote on X. “But that’s NOT what this is.”

The total cost of California’s Medicaid program, including state and federal funding, is expected to be about $222 billion for the budget year that starts July 1.

Nationwide freeze on some new Medicare provider enrollments

Oz’s agency also announced a nationwide six-month moratorium on all new Medicare enrollments by providers of hospice and home care.

“Today we’re shutting the door on fraud — preventing new bad actors from entering Medicare while we aggressively identify, investigate, and remove those already exploiting them,” he said in a statement.

Existing hospice and home health care providers will continue to operate as usual. But CMS said it will “intensify targeted investigations, deploy advanced data analytics, and accelerate the removal” of providers in the category that are suspected of fraudulent activity.

Such a freeze is not unprecedented, said Tricia Neumann, a senior vice president and executive director for the program on Medicare policy at the health care research nonprofit KFF. She said President Bill Clinton’s Democratic administration also imposed a temporary moratorium on home health agencies.

“A brief moratorium gives the administration time to crack down on true fraud and prevent new fraudulent entities from popping up,” she said.

Several alleged fraud schemes have been prosecuted in the hospice and home health care categories, and states have acknowledged that it is a legitimate concern. But some have pushed back on the administration’s aggressive tactics and raised concerns that the catchall efforts could needlessly punish law-abiding providers that are trying to serve patients.

Also Wednesday, the Department of Health and Human Services’ internal watchdog sent letters to state attorneys general warning them to vigorously investigate possible fraud or risk losing federal money.

Moves are part of monthslong federal push

In recent months, CMS has suspended payments to hundreds of hospice and home care agencies in Los Angeles over alleged fraud and issued another six-month moratorium on suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and certain other supplies in Medicare.

The administration also has approached at least five states with investigations into potential health care fraud and halted some $243 million in Medicaid payments to Minnesota over fraud concerns. Last month, Oz announced CMS would add to that oversight by requiring all 50 states to share how they planned to revalidate some of their Medicaid providers.

In at least one case, the administration has erred in its accusations against states. In April, CMS acknowledged to The Associated Press that it made a significant error in figures it used to help justify a fraud probe in New York. The acknowledgment deepened doubts in the administration’s methods and raised a common criticism that has been made about the second Trump administration — that it tends to attack first and confirm the facts later.

___

Swenson reported from New York. Associated Press writers Tran Nguyen in Sacramento, Geoff Mulvihill in Haddonfield, New Jersey, Patrick Whittle in Portland, Maine, and Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.

Teenager Kerri Mullan suffered devastating spinal injuries after a car crash in February

The brother of a teenager left with a devastating spinal cord injury has said she is “mentally strong and doing her best” as he thanked the public for their support.

A GoFundMe campaign has already raised over £70,000 in support of Co Derry teenager Kerri Mullan who was badly injured in a car crash on February 9.

The 18-year-old suffered serious injuries in the incident which has led to her employer CRF Oil Ltd starting the fundraiser earlier this week in an effort to help her recovery.

Kerri has spent the last few months in hospital after her C7 vertebra was severely damaged, according to the GoFundMe page. Kerri has currently lost movement from the chest down and is also dealing with ongoing complications affecting her body — along with constant pain and discomfort.

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Kerri’s brother Aron Mullan spoke to Belfast Live and said his sister was showing incredible tenacity.

Aron said: “She is mentally strong and doing her best.

“We as a family just want to take the opportunity to thank everybody who has donated so far. We are all overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have helped, and how the community has come together during this difficult time for us.”

Life will look different for Kerri as she prepares a return to home. The GoFundMe is raising money that will be needed for ongoing care, intensive rehabilitation, and major adjustments to her home so she can manage everyday tasks.

The money collected will help Kerri regain as much independence as possible.

“Kerri is a much-loved teammate, leader and friend, and she needs every bit of strength, hope and prayer we can send her right now,” wrote Ballinderry Shamrocks GAC on their Facebook page soon after the crash.

They recently added, “Kerri has been part of our LGFA family since we first started playing. She rarely missed a training session and was our very well-deserved Minor Captain in 2025.”

“Every day brings new obstacles, yet she continues to face them with incredible courage and strength,” The GoFundMe said.

“Even now, Kerri continues to show remarkable resilience, facing each day with bravery and determination that inspires everyone around her. Before the accident, Kerri was full of life. She was in her final year of school, playing football for Ballinderry Shamrocks, and looking forward to finishing her exams, going to university, and making memories with her friends.

“She had plans for concerts, holidays, and all the exciting moments that come with being 18. She’s known for her energy, kindness, and sense of humour — always the one to lift the mood and make people laugh. That spirit is still there.

“The reality is that the level of care and equipment needed for this type of injury comes at a significant cost. We want to make sure Kerri has access to every possible support as she begins to rebuild her life.”

Three days into the campaign and the total sits at £73,400.

To view the page or donate to the GoFundMe fund, click here.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A conversation with Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) prompted Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) to confront the person who abused him when he was a child in Coronation Street this evening.

At the start of the week, Will plotted to leave Weatherfield for France, under the impression that he was going to start a new life with Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) there.

His cover story saw Will tell his family that he was moving to Scotland with his mum. He departed in Tim’s taxi, but plans started to change when Will’s train got cancelled.

Meanwhile, Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) had discovered Will’s passport was missing and managed to workout what was going on. Tim was contacted and told to not let Will out of his sight.

Tim then spoke to Will about Trisha, the woman who took advantage of him when he was 14. During this period of Tim’s life, he wasn’t told that being in a relationship with a 20 year old was wrong. It meant that Tim refused to accept Sally Metcalfe’s (Sally Dynevor) claims that he was abused when Trisha came back onto the scene last year.

Learning about what Will went through with Megan made Tim realise that Sally was right about Trisha. After Tim’s chat, Will decided to go to the police station and report Megan.

In this evening’s episode, Megan was questioned by DS Lisa Connor-Swain (Vicky Myers) and denied all of the accusations. Because Will made the report though, she was eventually charged and taken into custody.

As this was happening, Tim had decided to confront Trisha. Outside her work, Tim told Trisha that she took advantage of him when he was 14 years old. She was horrified that Tim was accusing her of being an abuser, and said that she wouldn’t accept any of his comments. To prevent the conversation from going any further, Trisha claimed that she was late for work and left.

When he returned home, he told Sally that he didn’t need Trisha to say sorry or admit what she did, because he knows in his heart what happened to him was wrong and that, for him, is what is most important.

While Will and Tim share the same experience, their stories have ended in different ways. Will has been listened to and validated, and Megan has been charged. Tim, however, has been denied that recognition, due to Trisha refusing to take responsibility for her actions.

It’s a contrast that highlights how society has definitely moved forward – but not nearly far enough.

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During the war, Iran launched a series of missiles and drones on the UAE. On 10 May the UAE’s Ministry of Defence said that air defence systems had engaged two drones launched from Iran and that the country had engaged a total of 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,265 since the war broke out in late February, when the US and Israel attacked Iran.

The M65 motorway is closed in Lancashire following a seven-car crash tonight (Wednesday, May 13).

The motorway is shut to traffic in both directions between Junction 8 (Hupton) and Junction 10 (Burnley).

The closure was first reported shortly after 8pm and all emergency services remain at the scene, with a diversion route in place.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “The M65 in Lancashire is closed in both directions between J8 (Hapton) and J10 (Burnley) due to a 7 car collision.

“Lancashire Constabulary are leading the response with Ambulance and Fire crews also in attendance.

“Early reports suggest there are no serious injuries but Police wish to keep the road closed due to the amount of vehicles involved and emergency services personnel on scene.

“National Highways traffic officers are assisting with closures.”

This is a breaking incident. We will bring you updates as they become available on our feed below.

A pathologist determined the toddler had “highly unusual” injuries before his death

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A baby who died after allegedly suffering sustained abuse had what a pathologist described as a “human bite mark” on his buttock just weeks before his death, a jury has heard.

Baby Preston Davey was rushed into Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest at 6.20pm on July 27, 2023, with staff being told he had drowned in the bath. Tragically, despite an hour of frantic efforts to save him, the little boy was pronounced dead at 7.20pm.

His adoptive dad Jamie Varley, 37, appeared at Preston Crown Court accused of murdering the toddler, while partner John McGowan‑Fazackerley, 32, allegedly caused or allowed Preston’s death. Both men deny the charges, which also include multiple counts of child cruelty and sexual assault.

On Wednesday (May 13), expert witness Dr Alison Armour told Preston Crown Court that the autopsy she carried out on the baby determined the cause of his death to be acute upper airways obstruction, caused by either smothering or an object being inserted into his mouth.

The forensic Home Office pathologist, who has 39 years of experience in the field, added that the post-mortem revealed more than 40 separate internal and external injuries. The expert was also asked to review several videos and photographs taken from the defendants’ mobile phones.

One such photo, taken on June 12, 2023, showed the tot playing naked in a paddling pool in the back garden of their home on Staining Avenue, Preston. However, a close-up showed a round bruise, approximately one inch in diameter, on the little boy’s right buttock.

“It is my view that this most likely represents a human bite mark,” Dr Armour said, referring to an unmarked area of skin in the middle of the circular mark.

The jury heard a detailed account of the marks and injuries Dr Armour found during the post-mortem examination of Preston’s body. ‘Fingertip bruises’, indicative of f gripping, pinching or prodding, and a mark to his thigh consistent with a slap, were highlighted.

As was internal bruising to the toddler’s throat, described as “highly unusual” and most likely sustained within hours of Preston’s death. The pathologist ruled out the suggestion that the bruises were caused during resuscitation efforts as he did not have a heartbeat, and therefore would not have bruised, when he was intubated in hospital.

Royal Preston Hospital staff were told that Preston had drowned in the bath, but Dr Armour confirmed she did not believe there was any evidence supporting this claim, as she failed to find water in Preston’s stomach or lungs during examination to support the theory.

She also ruled out any natural cause, infection or genetic condition. Instead, she pointed out multiple signs of asphyxiation to support her findings that Preston had suffocated.

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Mr Varley recorded a video at 4.45pm on the day Preston died, the court was told, showing the little boy “clearly very unwell”, according to the pathologist. The video showed Preston unresponsive, and his breathing was half the rate that would be expected of a child his age.

The baby had also suffered ‘unnatural’ injuries to his pelvic organs, Dr Armour concluded, likely inflicted within hours of his death.

Varley is accused of murder; sexual assault of a child under 13; inflicting grievous bodily harm; five counts of child cruelty; and further counts of making, taking and distributing indecent images.

McGowan-Fazackerley is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child; two counts of child cruelty; and sexual assault of a child under 13. Both men deny the allegations.

Proceeding

A fight scene from Marvel’s The Punisher has gone viral online after being described as the ‘worst CGI of all time’.

Co-written by and starring Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, The Punisher: One Last Kill was released as a one-off final special episode by Disney Plus on Tuesday.

Following the gun-toting vigilante Frank, who is known as The Punisher, the episode sees the antihero find himself in the crosshairs of Ma Gnucci (Judith Light), who is eager for revenge against him for the death of her family.

Taking place shortly after the events of Daredevil: Born Again’s first season, the episode has, however, received a high level of attraction for all the wrong reasons.

During one moment when Frank is thrown off a building and lands on a large metal air vent, eagle-eyed observers spotted a ‘ ‘ CGI blunder that shows Jon’s face heavily pixilated.

Reacting to the jarring moment, some viewers speculated that the show’s editors forgot to tidy up the graphics.

Writing on X, Ahmed commented: ‘Can’t believe this is a real scene from The Punisher: One Last Kill.’

Responding beneath, Rob likened the graphics to being like ‘PlayStation 3’, as Steven said he thought it ‘was surely AI’.

Another user called Rob also wrote: ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill has one of the worst CGI animations I have seen in years. Omg. Like…

‘How is it possible that Jon Bernthal turns into a PS4 graphics replica of Joel Miller from The Last Of Us?! Wtf is Disney doing?’

Buck, a fellow user, then claimed: ‘Marvel accidentally uploaded a scene from The Punisher: One Last Kill with unfinished VFX.’

Jon recently returned to our screens as the Punisher after the series originally aired on Netflix from 2017 until 2019.

The new special sees Frank become Punisher once again after being targeted by Gnucci.

Originally, the series was about the former marine seeking revenge for the deaths of his family.

After being cancelled by Netflix in 201, Disney then regained the licence for Marvel titles.

He is now also set to play the Marvel character once again in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland and Zendaya.

This special also comes after Bernthal released another special episode of The Bear, which he co-wrote and starred in as Mikey alongside Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they headed on a work trip to Gary, Indiana.

Metro has contacted Disney for comment.

The Punisher: One Last Kill is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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Arsenal beat West Ham 1-0 on Sunday to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League – and now have a full week to prepare for their next game against Burnley

Victory in their final two Premier League fixtures and Arsenal are champions. It is the most straightforward of messages for the Gunners following Sunday’s 1-0 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium.

They also now benefit from a full week’s rest before welcoming relegated Burnley to their ground, then making the trip to Crystal Palace on the concluding day of the top-flight campaign.

Palace, of course, face the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano just three days later in Leipzig, so are unlikely to field their strongest side.

Should Arsenal win both remaining matches, they will finish on 85 points, making it impossible for Man City to overhaul them.

City currently sit on 74 points with three games remaining and can accumulate a maximum total of 83 points, reports Football London.

Pep Guardiola’s side face Palace tonight (Wednesday) ahead of the FA Cup final, before travelling to Bournemouth and then hosting Aston Villa on the final day of the season.

Should City drop points against the Eagles, who defeated them in last season’s FA Cup final, Arsenal could clinch the title as early as next Monday against Burnley at home.

If both City and Arsenal win, there remains a possibility the Gunners could be crowned champions next Tuesday when Bournemouth entertain City at the Vitality Stadium.

It is Andoni Iroala’s final home fixture in charge of the Cherries, and he will be keen to bow out in style.

What’s more, Bournemouth can still secure a Champions League berth.

They remain within striking distance of fifth-placed Aston Villa, and should Villa claim the Europa League title, a Champions League place would be pushed down to sixth.

Bournemouth, who are currently on a 16-match unbeaten run, are now strong favourites to take advantage following their 1-0 victory at Fulham on Saturday.

Either way, Arsenal find themselves in an extraordinarily dominant position, and it would now take a remarkable collapse for them to squander such a commanding lead.

Guardiola’s side will battle to the very end, but they face a gruelling run of fixtures over the next two weeks, and it is difficult to envisage them remaining flawless throughout.

The FA Cup also presents an opportunity to lift a trophy, so Guardiola will certainly not be underestimating the Wembley showpiece against Chelsea.

The flight was suddenly diverted after a pilot needed ‘medical assistance’

A passenger has described the dramatic moment her flight was diverted after a pilot became ill on the trip back to Manchester Airport.

Caroline Peers was one of the hundreds onboard the EasyJet service that departed from Heraklion, Greece, at around 8.45pm yesterday (May 12).

The flight was scheduled to land in Manchester, but midway through the journey, the aircraft diverted to Milan after one of the pilots needed ‘medical assistance.’

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Caroline, 52, says she could not see what exactly had happened, but recalls an announcement being made that the the first captain had fallen ill before emergency services rushed to his aid after landing.

“Oh, it was awful,” she said. “When they landed the plane, you could see all the lights and hear the sirens. It was police, ambulance and fire.

“They put a black cloth up and the police came on. We were all going around and being nosey, then the captain announced that the first pilot was OK but he was going to get checked out for safety reasons.”

According to EasyJet, passengers were put in hotels and given meals, with those who booked their own seat to be ‘reimbursed’. However, Caroline, said only a few travellers were provided with accommodation, while others had to settle with sleeping in the airport.

“There were hundreds of people all running around, trying to find out what was going on,” said Caroline, from Partington. “Because we were in the middle of the plane, there was nothing left for us. We tried everywhere.

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“Me, my partner, his two kids and a lot of other people ended up sleeping on the floor of the airport. There was nothing open.

“There were old people in there. Sat on suit cases and young children too.

“I’m quite healthy and it took its toll on me. It was awful, we were tired, we weren’t getting any answers. We expected at least someone from management to be there.”

EasyJet said the captain carried out a ‘routine landing’ and medics met the plane when it landed in Italy to assess the first officer. The flight was rescheduled to this morning and Caroline is now back home.

In a statement, an easyJet spokesperson said: “Flight EZY2058 from Heraklion to Manchester diverted to Milan Malpensa due to the First Officer requiring medical assistance.

“The Captain performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by medical services and the flight was therefore rescheduled to operate this morning.

“We did everything possible to minimise the disruption to customers, providing hotel accommodation and meals where available, and we advised anyone who booked their own that they will be reimbursed.

“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always our highest priority and we are sorry for any inconvenience this will have caused.”